Comparative Immune Efficacy of Native Inactivated and Attenuated Vaccines for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus over 2 Consecutive Years

The primary objective of this study was to evaluation the immune efficacy of native inactivated vaccine against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. The experimental design included 60 gilts and 9 boars equal distribution in two farms free of antibody for PRRSV at the beginning of the experiment for two consecutive months. These gilts and boars were randomly assigned to three treatment groups equally designated as groupsⅠ～Ⅲ. GroupⅠwas inoculated intramuscularly with RespPRRSV/Repro vaccine. Group Ⅱ was inoculated intramuscularly with native multivalent inactivated vaccine. Group Ⅲ was sham-inoculated intramuscularly with saline as control. Gilts and boars were inoculated again at six months intervals during the consecutive 2 years. The neonatal piglets of three groups were inoculated the same vaccine as their parents one week before weaning (piglets were 25 days). Then antibody anti-PRRSV was detected in sera obtained from gilts, boars and piglets. Biological tissue samples were collected from the recently deceased or sacrificed pigs which presented with similar PRRS symptoms. Virus isolation and viral RNA using RT-nPCR were carried through in collected tissue samples, sera and semen. Productive performances of pigs were also evaluated in this project. The results showed all the indexes in groupⅡwere very similar to that of groupⅠexcept the virus isolation and viral RNA detection. Control group had more virus isolates and viral RNA detection than inoculated groups. The rate of piglets surviving, born dead and postnatal deaths and fattening differed significantly (P<(0.05)) between experiment groups and control. This was implied that pigs inoculated with native inactivated vaccine had the similarity immune efficacy to that of pigs inoculated attenuated vaccine. This is the first large-scale to evaluation the immune efficacy of native multivalent inactivated vaccine against PRRSV in field trial. Inoculating native inactivated multivalent vaccine is also an effective measure to prevent PRRS in Shanghai pig farms and this can reduce the risk of vaccine virus shedding because of inoculating the attenuated vaccine.

Evaluation of antibody responses in healthy individuals receiving SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccines

Inactivated coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)vaccines such as CoronaVac and BBIBP-CorV have been widely used in China.However,more investigation is still needed to understand antibodies'duration and effectiveness against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)variants in the real world.In this study,575 participants who had been vaccinated with two or three doses of the inactivated vaccine were recruited.Serum samples were collected and tested for anti-spike IgG and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2(original strain,Dela,and Omicron).Unsurprisingly,a third dose of the vaccine significantly enhanced antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.However,despite a booster dose,the neutralizing antibody levels against Omicron,particularly the BA.5.2 subvariant,remained low.There was no sex bias,but an age bias was observed.Notably,the predominant IgG subclass antibodies were IgG1 and IgG2,with a much lower level of IgG4.After the booster shot,the ratio of IgG4 to IgG1 significantly increased.The observation of IgG1 to the IgG4 class switch after repeated inactivated vaccinations underscores the importance of continuous monitoring of subclass antibody responses.Further clinical investigations are required to understand the implications of this class switch for optimizing immunization strategies.

Plant-based vaccines against viral hepatitis: A panoptic review

The traditional vaccines against hepatitis have been instrumental in reducing the incidence of some types of viral hepatitis;however,the need for cost-effective,easily distributable,and needle-free vaccine alternatives has led to the exploration of plant-based vaccines.Plant-based techniques offer a promising avenue for producing viral hepatitis vaccines due to their low-cost cultivation,scalability,and the potential for oral administration.This review highlights the successful expression of hepatitis B surface antigens in plants and the subsequent formation of virus-like particles,which have shown immunogenicity in preclinical and clinical trials.The challenges such as achieving sufficient antigen expression levels,ensuring consistent dosing,and navigating regulatory frameworks,are addressed.The review considers the potential of plant-based vaccines to meet the demands of rapid vaccine deployment in response to outbreaks and their role in global immunization strategies,particularly in resource-limited settings.This review underscores the significant strides made in plant molecular farming and the potential of plant-based vaccines to complement existing immunization methods against viral hepatitis.

Live and Inactivated Salmonella Enteritidis Vaccines:Immune Mechanisms in Broiler Breeders

Salmonella is a ubiquitous pathogen which, in addition to causing poultry diseases, has a growing zoonotic impact. It has demanded the implementation of diverse control strategies, in which vaccines play a major role. The understanding of the immune pathways elicited by the different vaccines is important, contributing for the establishment of strong immune correlates of protection, for instance. With the purpose of determining the dynamics of the humoral and cellular immune responses to vaccination, broiler breeders (Cobb Slow) were immunized with live or inactivated vaccines against Salmonella Enteritidis. Lymphocyte and macrophage subsets were analyzed in the peripheral blood by flow cytometry and antigen-specific circulating IgY and mucosal IgA were quantified. The markers analyzed by flow cytometry were CD8/CD28, CD4/TCRVβ1, Kul/ MHC II and Bu-1. Both live and inactivated vaccines induced an increase in the proportion of circulating monocytes (Kul+MHCII+) in some time points compared to non-vaccinated controls. However, whereas the live vaccine leads to an increase in CD8-CD28+ and Bu-1+ lymphocytescompared to the control group, the inactivated vaccine prompteda reduction in the percentage of severalleucocyte subsets (Kul-MHCII+, Bu-1+, CD8+CD28+, CD8-CD28+, CD4+TCRVβ1-, CD4+TCRVβ1+, CD4-TCRVβ1+) after the boost dose. Both vaccines induced specific serum IgY and mucosal IgA production;however, the inactivated vaccine stimulated higher titers in a shorter period. These results contribute to the understanding of mechanisms of action of live and inactivated Salmonella vaccines in chickens.

Advances in Zika virus vaccines and therapeutics:A systematic review

Zika virus(ZIKV)is the causative agent of a viral infection that causes neurological complications in newborns and adults worldwide.Its wide transmission route and alarming spread rates are of great concern to the scientific community.Numerous trials have been conducted to develop treatment options for ZIKV infection.This review highlights the latest developments in the fields of vaccinology and pharmaceuticals developments for ZIKV infection.A systematic and comprehensive approach was used to gather relevant and up-to-date data so that inferences could be made about the gaps in therapeutic development.The results indicate that several therapeutic interventions are being tested against ZIKV infection,such as DNA vaccines,subunit vaccines,live-attenuated vaccines,virus-vector-based vaccines,inactivated vaccines,virus-like particles,and mRNA-based vaccines.In addition,approved anti-ZIKV drugs that can reduce the global burden are discussed.Although many vaccine candidates for ZIKV are at different stages of development,none of them have received Food and Drug Authority approval for use up to now.The issue of side effects associated with these drugs in vulnerable newborns and pregnant women is a major obstacle in the therapeutic pathway.

Immune response to inactivated bacterial vector carrying the recombinant K39 antigen of Leishmania infantum in mice

Objective:To evaluate the immunological response elicited by an inactivated bacterial vector carrying the K39 antigen of Leishmania infantum,and a purified antigen.Methods:Mice were subjected to the following treatments:(1)Purified recombinant K39(rK39)protein at a 20μg dose with complete Freund’s adjuvant;(2)Inactivated Escherichia coli(BL21 DE3)carrying the K39 protein at an equivalent total protein content of 200μg;(3)Inactivated bacteria lacking the K39 protein;(4)Non-immunized control animals.Serological monitoring was performed.All groups were challenged by intraperitoneal injection of 10^(7) Leishmania infantum promastigotes.After euthanasia,the liver and spleen were collected to analyze the levels of TNF,IFN-γ,IL-12,IL-4,and IL-10.Results:Mice immunized with purified rK39 or the inactivated bacterial vector carrying the K39 antigen of Leishmania infantum showed a long-lasting immune response with high levels of polyclonal antibodies specifically recognizing the recombinant proteins.The IgG1 subclass was the predominant immunoglobulin;however,the induction of IgG2a and the profile of cytokines produced were indicative of the induction of a mixed-type response.Conclusions:The inactivated bacterial vector carrying the K39 antigen,as well as the purified antigen can induce a long-lasting immune response in immunized mice,predominantly favouring a Th2 profile response.

Rotavirus, Norovirus and Astrovirus in Children Aged 0 - 5 Years: Evolution of Prevalence over 10 Years (2013-2023) Following the Introduction of Rotavirus Vaccines in Burkina Faso

Rotaviruses, noroviruses, and astroviruses are responsible for gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old. The objective of our study was to estimate the evolution of prevalence of rotavirus, norovirus and astrovirus infections in children aged 0 to 5 years with gastroenteritis, after the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in Burkina Faso. This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and December 2023, collecting 100 stool samples from children with gastroenteritis at Saint Camille Hospital in Ouagadougou and the Charles De Gaulle University Paediatric Hospital. Noroviruses and astroviruses were detected using multiplex real-time PCR with a Sacace biotechnology detection kit. Data analysis was performed with Stata statistical software, version 16.0. The prevalence of norovirus infections was 14% and astrovirus infections were 9%. Rotavirus infections were found at prevalence of 15%. The age group most affected by norovirus and astrovirus infections was 0 - 12 months, with respective prevalence rates of 73.34% and 55.56%. The most frequently observed clinical signs in children infected with astrovirus were fever (77.78%), diarrhea (55.56%), and vomiting (44.44%). The introduction of rotavirus vaccines has reduced rotavirus-related infections. However, this has not significantly impacted the prevalence of norovirus and astrovirus infections in Burkina Faso.

Recent advances on vaccines against malaria: A review

This review aims to summarize the currently viable vaccine strategies including the approved vaccines and the those in trials for next-generation malaria vaccines.Data on malaria vaccine development was collected through a comprehensive review.The literature search was performed using databases including Google Scholar,PubMed,NIH,and Web of Science.Various novel approaches of vaccination are being developed,including those based on radiation-attenuated strategies,monoclonal antibodies,targeted immunogenic peptides,RNA and DNA vaccines,nanoparticle-based vaccines,protein-based vaccination protocols,and whole organism-based vaccination strategies.Trials on RTS,S have entered phase Ⅲtesting,and those based on blood-stage vaccines and vaccines to interrupt malarial transmission have advanced to higher stages of trials.Mathematical modeling,combined drug and vaccine strategies,mass drug administration,polyvalent vaccine formulations,and targeted vaccination campaigns is playing an important role in malarial prevention.Furthermore,assessing coverage,accessibility,acceptability,deployment,compilation,and adherence to specific vaccination strategies in endemic regions is essential for vaccination drives against malaria.

Effect of dietary supplement of inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum Ep-M 17 on growth performance,immune response,disease resistance,and intestinal microbiota in Penaeus vannamei

Our previous study found that feeding with Lactobacillus plantarum Ep-M17 could effectively affect the growth performance,immune response,and gut microbiota of Penaeus vannamei.However,high temperature and pressure during feed pelletizing is the main problem that can lead to a decrease in the activity of probiotics or cause their inactivation.Further investigation needs to investigate whether inactivated Ep-M17 can exert similar effects as live Ep-M17.Therefore,we evaluated the effects of inactivated L.plantarum Ep-M17 on growth performance,immune response,disease resistance,and gut microbiota in P.vannamei.Results show that adding inactivated Ep-M17 to the feed also promoted body weight gain and increased relative immune protection in shrimp.Also,histological examination revealed that the administration of inactivated Ep-M17 led to improvements in the density and distribution of microvilli in the intestines and enhancements in the abundance of B and R cells in the hepatopancreas.Additionally,the inactivated Ep-M17 supplementation resulted in increased activity levels of nutrient immune-related enzymes in both the shrimp hepatopancreas and intestines.Moreover,it stimulated the expression of Lvlec,PEN-3a,Crustin,LGBP,Lysozyme,and proPo genes in both the hepatopancreas and intestines.Furthermore,the inactivated Ep-M17 also increased bacterial diversity in the gut of shrimp and promoted the abundance of specific flora,facilitating the host organism’s metabolism and immunity to improve the disease resistance of shrimp.Therefore,supplementation of inactivated L.plantarum Ep-M17 in shrimp diets can exert similar effects as live L.plantarum Ep-M17 effectively improving growth performance,gut microbiota,immune response,and disease resistance in P.vannamei.

Prevention and Nursing of Adverse Reactions of Novel Coronavirus Inactivated Vaccine (Vero Cells)

Objective:To discuss and analyze the causes of adverse reactions caused by the inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine(Vero cells),and to propose methods of prevention and care.Methods:A questionnaire was used to randomly select 229 adults who were vaccinated with the inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine(Vero cells)at Xi’an People’s Hospital(Xi’an Fourth Hospital).The adverse reactions were statistically analyzed.Results:Among the 229 adults vaccinated with the inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine(Vero cells),30 experienced vaccination reactions.The main reaction was local induration at the inoculation site,and dizziness was the primary systemic symptom.Conclusion:To reduce the incidence of adverse reactions to the inactivated novel coronavirus vaccine(Vero cells),it is necessary to effectively evaluate the health status of adults before vaccination,select the correct vaccination site,and strictly implement the rules of 3-inspections,7-checks,and 1-verification.Standardizing the operation process and providing thorough health education after vaccination can effectively reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.

A Case of Investigation and Diagnosis of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura After Vaccination of COVID-19 Inactivated Vaccine

Objective:Analyze the relationship between inoculating one case of the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine(Vero cell)and immune thrombocytopenic purpura to provide a reference for the standardized handling of adverse events following immunization.Methods:According to the"National Monitoring Program for Suspected Adverse Reactions to Vaccinations,"an on-site investigation,data collection and analysis,expert group diagnosis,and medical association assessment were conducted on a case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura in District A of Chongqing after vaccination with the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine.The assessment report was delivered to the three relevant parties,the case was reviewed,and the experience was summarized.Results:The investigation and diagnosis by the district-level vaccination abnormal reaction expert group concluded that the disease that occurred after vaccination with the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine was secondary immune thrombocytopenic purpura,an abnormal reaction to the vaccination.The medical damage was classified as Level II Grade B.The vaccine production enterprise raised objections to this conclusion.After re-assessment by the municipal-level medical association,the conclusion was consistent with that of the district-level medical association.The vaccine production enterprise did not raise any further objections.Conclusion:Through active collaboration among district and municipal-level medical associations,disease control institutions,and vaccination units,the recipients have been promptly and effectively treated,providing financial support for their subsequent treatment and safeguarding their rights.The investigation and disposal procedures for adverse events following immunization in Chongqing are clear,and the mechanism is sound.It is necessary to continue strengthening the monitoring of adverse events following immunization according to the existing plan and to ensure timely and standardized handling.Simultaneously,it is crucial to strengthen vaccine management and vaccination management.

Safety, immunogenicity and protective effectiveness of heterologous boost with a recombinant COVID-19 vaccine (Sf9 cells) in adult recipients of inactivated vaccines

Vaccines have proven effective in protecting populations against COVID-19,including the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine(Sf9 cells),the first approved recombinant protein vaccine in China.In this positive-controlled trial with 85 adult participants(Sf9 cells group:n=44;CoronaVac group:n=41),we evaluated the safety,immunogenicity,and protective effectiveness of a heterologous boost with the Sf9 cells vaccine in adults who had been vaccinated with the inactivated vaccine,and found a post-booster adverse events rate of 20.45%in the Sf9 cells group and 31.71%in the CoronaVac group(p=0.279),within 28 days after booster injection.Neither group reported any severe adverse events.Following the Sf9 cells vaccine booster,the geometric mean titer(GMT)of binding antibodies to the receptor-binding domain of prototype SARS-CoV-2 on day 28 post-booster was significantly higher than that induced by the CoronaVac vaccine booster(100,683.37 vs.9,451.69,p<0.001).In the Sf9 cells group,GMTs of neutralizing antibodies against pseudo SARS-CoV-2 viruses(prototype and diverse variants of concern[VOCs])increased by 22.23–75.93 folds from baseline to day 28 post-booster,while the CoronaVac group showed increases of only 3.29–10.70 folds.Similarly,neutralizing antibodies against live SARS-CoV-2 viruses(prototype and diverse VOCs)increased by 68.18–192.67 folds on day 14 post-booster compared with the baseline level,significantly greater than the CoronaVac group(19.67–37.67 folds).A more robust Th1 cellular response was observed with the Sf9 cells booster on day 14 post-booster(mean IFN-γ+spot-forming cells per 2×105 peripheral blood mononuclear cells:26.66 vs.13.59).Protective effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 was approximately twice as high in the Sf9 cells group compared to the CoronaVac group(68.18%vs.36.59%,p=0.004).Our study findings support the high protective effectiveness of heterologous boosting with the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine(Sf9 cells)against symptomatic COVID-19 of diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern,while causing no apparent safety concerns.

mRNA vaccines:a new era in vaccine development

The advent of RNA therapy,particularly through the development of mRNA cancer vaccines,has ushered in a new era in the field of oncology.This article provides a concise overview of the key principles,recent advancements,and potential implications of mRNA cancer vaccines as a groundbreaking modality in cancer treatment.mRNA cancer vaccines represent a revolutionary approach to combatting cancer by leveraging the body’s innate immune system.These vaccines are designed to deliver specific mRNA sequences encoding cancer-associated antigens,prompting the immune system to recognize and mount a targeted response against malignant cells.This personalized and adaptive nature of mRNA vaccines holds immense potential for addressing the heterogeneity of cancer and tailoring treatments to individual patients.Recent breakthroughs in the development of mRNA vaccines,exemplified by the success of COVID-19 vaccines,have accelerated their application in oncology.The mRNA platform’s versatility allows for the rapid adaptation of vaccine candidates to various cancer types,presenting an agile and promising avenue for therapeutic intervention.Clinical trials of mRNA cancer vaccines have demonstrated encouraging results in terms of safety,immunogenicity,and efficacy.Pioneering candidates,such as BioNTech’s BNT111 and Moderna’s mRNA-4157,have exhibited promising outcomes in targeting melanoma and solid tumors,respectively.These successes underscore the potential of mRNA vaccines to elicit robust and durable anti-cancer immune responses.While the field holds great promise,challenges such as manufacturing complexities and cost considerations need to be addressed for widespread adoption.The development of scalable and cost-effective manufacturing processes,along with ongoing clinical research,will be pivotal in realizing the full potential of mRNA cancer vaccines.Overall,mRNA cancer vaccines represent a cutting-edge therapeutic approach that holds the promise of transforming cancer treatment.As research progresses,addressing challenges and refining manufacturing processes will be crucial in advancing these vaccines from clinical trials to mainstream oncology practice,offering new hope for patients in the fight against cancer.

Neoantigen cancer vaccines:a new star on the horizon

Immunotherapy represents a promising strategy for cancer treatment that utilizes immune cells or drugs to activate the patient's own immune system and eliminate cancer cells.One of the most exciting advances within this field is the targeting of neoantigens,which are peptides derived from non-synonymous somatic mutations that are found exclusively within cancer cells and absent in normal cells.Although neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines have not received approval for standard cancer treatment,early clinical trials have yielded encouraging outcomes as standalone monotherapy or when combined with checkpoint inhibitors.Progress made in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics have greatly facilitated the precise and efficient identification of neoantigens.Consequently,personalized neoantigen-based vaccines tailored to each patient have been developed that are capable of eliciting a robust and long-lasting immune response which effectively eliminates tumors and prevents recurrences.This review provides a concise overview consolidating the latest clinical advances in neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines,and also discusses challenges and future perspectives for this innovative approach,particularly emphasizing the potential of neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines to enhance clinical efficacy against advanced solid tumors.

Overcoming neutrophil-induced immunosuppression in postoperative cancer therapy: Combined sialic acid-modified liposomes with scaffold-based vaccines

Immunotherapy is a promising approach for preventing postoperative tumor recurrence and metastasis. However, inflammatory neutrophils, recruited to the postoperative tumor site, have been shown to exacerbate tumor regeneration and limit the efficacy of cancer vaccines. Consequently, addressing postoperative immunosuppression caused by neutrophils is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. This study presents a combined chemoimmunotherapeutic strategy that employs a biocompatible macroporous scaffold-based cancer vaccine (S-CV) and a sialic acid (SA)-modified, doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded liposomal platform (DOX@SAL). The S-CV contains whole tumor lysates as antigens and imiquimod (R837, Toll-like receptor 7 activator)-loaded PLGA nanoparticles as immune adjuvants for cancer, which enhance dendritic cell activation and cytotoxic T cell proliferation upon localized implantation. When administered intravenously, DOX@SAL specifically targets and delivers drugs to activated neutrophils in vivo, mitigating neutrophil infiltration and suppressing postoperative inflammatory responses. In vivo and vitro experiments have demonstrated that S-CV plus DOX@SAL, a combined chemo-immunotherapeutic strategy, has a remarkable potential to inhibit postoperative local tumor recurrence and distant tumor progression, with minimal systemic toxicity, providing a new concept for postoperative treatment of tumors.

Toward innovative veterinary nanoparticle vaccines

Nanoparticles are significant for veterinary vaccine development because they are safer and more effective than conventional formulations.One promising area of research involves self-assembled protein nanoparticles(SAPNs),which have shown potential for enhancing antigen-presenting cell uptake,B-cell activation,and lymph node trafficking.Numerous nanovaccines have been utilized in veterinary medicine,including natural self-assembled protein nanoparticles,rationally designed self-assembled protein nanoparticles,animal virus-derived nanoparticles,bacteriophagederived nanoparticles,and plant-derived nanoparticles,which will be discussed in this review.SAPN vaccines can produce robust cellular and humoral immune responses and have been shown to protect against various animal infectious diseases.This article attempts to summarize these diverse nanovaccine types and their recent research progress in the field of veterinary medicine.Furthermore,this paper highlights their disadvantages and methods for improving their immunogenicity.

Analysis of Public Sentiment regarding COVID-19 Vaccines on the Social Media Platform Reddit

This study undertakes a thorough analysis of the sentiment within the r/Corona-virus subreddit community regarding COVID-19 vaccines on Reddit. We meticulously collected and processed 34,768 comments, spanning from November 20, 2020, to January 17, 2021, using sentiment calculation methods such as TextBlob and Twitter-RoBERTa-Base-sentiment to categorize comments into positive, negative, or neutral sentiments. The methodology involved the use of Count Vectorizer as a vectorization technique and the implementation of advanced ensemble algorithms like XGBoost and Random Forest, achieving an accuracy of approximately 80%. Furthermore, through the Dirichlet latent allocation, we identified 23 distinct reasons for vaccine distrust among negative comments. These findings are crucial for understanding the community’s attitudes towards vaccination and can guide targeted public health messaging. Our study not only provides insights into public opinion during a critical health crisis, but also demonstrates the effectiveness of combining natural language processing tools and ensemble algorithms in sentiment analysis.

An Overview of Quality Management of Therapeutic Vaccines in Clinical Trials in China

Objective To provide suggestions and a reference for improving the quality management system of clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines and promoting the development of therapeutic vaccines in China.Methods Literature research,case study and comparative study were used to analyze the quality management system of clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines.Results and Conclusion From the perspective of the sponsor,investigators and the thirdparty technical service company,the problems such as the low efficiency of clinical trial sample preparation and the lax implementation of the protocol by hospital departments in the quality management of clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines in China were found.Then,the optimization plan for the quality management of clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines is proposed,including optimizing the preparation process of therapeutic vaccines and strengthening the training of hospital department personnel.

Effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with oncological diseases:State-of-the-art

Although the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic was declared to be no longer“a public health emergency of international concern”with its wide range of clinical manifestations and late complications,severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection proved to be a serious threat,especially to the elderly and patients with comorbidities.Patients with oncologic diseases are vulnerable to severe infection and death.Indeed,patients with oncohematological diseases have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and impaired post-vaccination immunity.Unfortunately,cancer patients are usually excluded from vaccine trials and investigations of post-vaccinal immune responses and the effectiveness of the vaccines.We aimed to elucidate to what extent patients with cancer are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 and what is their overall case fatality rate.We also present the current concept and evidence on the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines,including boosters,in oncology patients.In conclusion,despite the considerably higher mortality in the cancer patient group than the general population,countries with high vaccination rates have demonstrated trends toward improved survival of cancer patients early and late in the pandemic.

Uptake of Two Doses of HPV Vaccines in Nakuru County, Kenya: A Case of Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties

Background: HPV vaccines were introduced globally as one of the most effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer. HPV vaccines were rolled out in Kenya in 2019 targeting girls aged 10 - 14 years, but the uptake has not been satisfactory. The Purpose of the Study: The aim of the study was to assess the level of HPV uptake among girls aged 10 - 14 years in Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties in Nakuru County. Method: This was a cross-sectional study where data on HPV uptake was retrieved from all the public health facilities located in Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties, Nakuru County, entered into Microsoft Excel then transferred to SPSS version 26 for analysis of HPV vaccine uptake since the year 2019 to June 2022. Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used where tables and graphs were generated to represent the percentages and trends of HPV vaccine uptake. Results: The average percentage of HPV uptake in Nakuru West Sub-County since the rollout of vaccination was 17% while that of Rongai Sub-County was 15%. In 2019, HPV 1 uptake was generally low for both Sub-Counties, the results show no HPV 2 vaccines were administered during that year. In 2020, Nakuru West reported an increase in HPV 1 uptake, while Rongai reported a drop in HPV 1 uptake. Both Sub-Counties reported an increase in HPV 2 in 2020 as compared to the previous year. The highest HPV 1 & 2 uptakes were reported in 2021 in both Sub-Counties. The uptake of both HPV 1 & 2 kept increasing subsequently. Conclusion: The overall uptake of HPV vaccines for Doses 1 and 2, in both Rongai and Nakuru West Sub-Counties, is low. However, there has been a consistent increase in uptake of the two doses in the two Sub-Counties since 2019. Therefore, raising public awareness of the importance of HPV vaccination could improve uptake.